Yianni Savva police station opened at Afrodite Beach

THE inauguration of the brand new N$5 million Yianni Savva Police Station at Afrodite Beach last week was a grand affair, which was celebrated by a strong turnout of top ranking Government officials and captains of the industry, who welcomed the strategically placed facility, as a future measure for proactive policing in the area.

The Yianni Savva Police Station, is a new modern ‘Class C’ block, financed largely by well-known Walvis Bay businessman John Savva (chairperson Walvis Bay Police PR committee), and built it in memory of his son Yianni, who lost his life six years ago, on the busy stretch of road between Walvis Bay to Swakopmund.

Savva, who has always actively taken part in activities aimed at the betterment of the safety and security of the community, initiated the construction of the police station to the tune of N$3 million. The project was handed to the contractors in February 2015, with the first two phase completed by 7 June, with all specifics, furniture and fittings financed by the police.

The third phase of this project will include the construction of a modern road traffic checkpoint with an access road to and from the police station. The area of policing covered by this station which welcomed in the newly appointed Station Commander Alexander Ochurub, includes the Dorob National Park, the suburbs in the Langstrand, as well as crime reports in the area.

The station consists of a charge office, four offices, a strong room, a server room, a boardroom, ablution facilities, a generator room and a spacious interlocked parking facility.

In his address Nampol Lieutenant- General Sebastian Ndeitunga, said that this police station brings relief to the Walvis Bay Police Station which was already burdened with the workload, as previously all crimes committed in this area was reported to them.

He urged residents of this area, in particular, the Long Beach Neighbourhood Watch and different security companies guarding unoccupied holiday homes in the area, to work in partnership with police officers at the Yianni Savva Police Station.

“The officers at this police station are tasked, amongst others to protect the lives and properties of the local community and potential investors and tourists 24 hours, seven days a week,” he stressed.

The official opening of this police station, also served as the swearing in of Erongo Police Regional Commander, Commissioner Andreas Nelumbu, who took the baton from retired Commissioner Samuel Hoebeb, after serving as the Erongo Police Regional Commander since 2012, and the police department for the past 25 years.

Erongo Governor Cleophas Mutjavikua, applauded Savva and his family for this gesture of generosity in partnering with the Namibian Police Force . “Through initiatives of this nature more Namibians and visitors to our country will have access to the necessary policing services,” he said.

“The economic activities in sectors such as tourism, mining, logistics through the Walvis Bay Corridor and fisheries, have also attracted many citizens to this region hoping to find employment opportunities.

“Unfortunately, the region has also not be spared the scourge of crimes, such as drug trafficking and contraband especially through the Walvis Bay Harbour, as well as murder, violation of minors, rape, housebreak-ins, theft and road accidents resulting from reckless and negligent driving.” “The Erongo region also attracts tourists from all over the world due to its landscapes, historical sites, and beautiful coastline, but criminal activities in the region pose a threat to potential investors and tourists, who sometimes fall prey to these criminal elements,” “I am just warning criminals and their cohorts, if you commit a crime in the Erongo Region, you will be arrested,” he added urging that drivers travelling on our roads, must also be vigilant behind the wheel, explaining that the Erongo is an industrial region, resulting in our roads being congested with cargo trucks.